8 Absolutely, Totally Free Things to Do This Summer

Between Dear Evan Hansen tickets, admission to the Whitney and catching your favorite authors at 92Y, keeping up with the city’s happenings can cost a small fortune. Fortunately, summer is easily the best time to get cultured on the cheap. Here are seven ways to indulge your highbrow taste without spending a dime.

River to River Festival

For 12 straight days, this annual summer fest brings over 100 performances to venues like Governors Island and Pier A Harbor House. The always-eclectic lineup includes things like contemporary dance, a multimedia opera and large-scale art exhibitions, with a focus on diverse voices (and unexpected locations).

Make Music New York

Make Music New York

On June 21 (the longest day of the year), the city turns into one giant, free music festival, with more than 1,000 (!) events taking over rooftops, gardens and other public spaces. Keep an eye out for a traveling Ella Fitzgerald sing-along in Harlem, free guitar lessons in Union Square and even opportunities to record a “track” with professional producers at a mobile recording studio.

Noemie Trusty

Live at the Archway

Head to the foot of the Manhattan Bridge every Thursday through September for genre-spanning music (from Afrobeat to Japanese pop), lively dance performances (from flamenco to hip-hop), pop-up galleries featuring local artists and even an interactive circus (it involves Hula-Hoops).

New York Philharmonic

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

There’s an outdoor show practically every night in the summer, but the beloved classical series might include some of our favorites. Tonight, pack a picnic and head to Prospect Park, then bliss out to a program that includes songs from An American in Paris and West Side Story.

Lincoln Center/Facebook

Lincoln Center Out of Doors

The arts mecca is worth visiting year-round, but its alfresco summer fest is not to be missed. This year’s lineup kicks off with a celebration of the greatest albums by women (a collaboration with NPR Music), with Ronnie Spector, Lizzo, Gaby Moreno and other badass ladies.

Metropolitan Opera

Met Opera Summer Recital Series

Turn off the Bieber and treat your ears to something a little more refined: The Met Opera brings some of its most talented singers to all five boroughs throughout June, setting the stage in gorgeous outdoor spaces like Socrates Sculpture Park and Crotona Park.

NYC Poetry Festival/Facebook

New York City Poetry Festival

Grab a Moleskine and a beret and join fellow verse-lovers on Governors Island for a weekend of readings with writers like Sapphire, Aja Monet, Patrick Phillips and Deborah Landau, plus word-based art installations and poetic film screenings.